Sturgeon County, Redwater and Morinville are among the latest municipalities to put measures in place to reduce the risk of fires.

On Sunday (May 13), Sturgeon County and Redwater issued a fire restriction suspending all existing fire permits. No new burn or firework permits will be issued under the restriction, but residents are still permitted to use backyard fire pits and portable propane fireplaces.

Morinville has also issued a fire advisory. Although approved backyard fire pits with screens are still allowed, the Morinville Fire Department is asking residents to be cautious when burning and to not leave fires unattended.

Morinville fire chief Bradley Boddez said that conditions are more dangerous than people might realize.

"It's very dry. A lot of people are under the misconception because of the snowfall that we had that we would have a lot more moisture, but that's not how it turned out this year. I don't think it got a chance to sink in. And so it's still really dry out there."

Strathcona County and Fort Saskatchewan continue to have fire advisories in place limiting the use of recreational fires.

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